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Posted: Mon 10th Feb 2025
Scotland's international trade could increase by between £3.4bn to £10.3bn over two years if exports by women-led businesses matched those from firms run by men, according to new research.
The report, commissioned by the Scottish government, found that from 2016 to 2022, between 2% and 9% fewer female-owned small and medium-sized companies sold overseas compared to those led by males.
The study said women-led non-exporters were reluctant to grow often due to caring responsibilities and wanting to remain financially stable.
Access to finance and a lack of appropriate support is also an issue, the report claimed, with both exporters and non-exporters reporting being excluded from support that focuses on male dominated sectors and from international trade missions.
In addition, the findings highlighted Brexit as a significant barrier for exporters in sectors popular with women such as cosmetics and textiles.
The report made several recommendations to the Scottish government including running an export awareness campaign specific to women, providing training and trade missions for women-led businesses, and delivering adequate finance and promoting financial literacy to female founders.
In response, the government said women-led businesses will receive more help to sell overseas.
It pointed to the pledge in the latest Scottish Budget to provide £15m in funding to support entrepreneurs, including £4m specific to female founders.
Business minister Richard Lochhead launched the report during a visit to Enterprise Nation member Raven Botanicals in East Lothian.
The business is run by sisters Arabella and Charlotte Harvey, who are speaking to a potential overseas client about their natural skincare and beauty products after participating in trade missions to the US and Dubai.
Lochhead said:
"The untapped export potential of women entrepreneurs identified by this report is astonishing. The measures I am announcing today are just the beginning. We will work with organisations such as Scottish Development International and the Scottish Chamber of Commerce to understand the specific export needs of women-led businesses and provide further assistance.
"The gender export gap is a worldwide phenomenon and the position in Scotland is typical of comparable countries. However, we are determined to improve and reap the huge economic rewards."
Arabella Harvey said:
"As a business in the early stages of growth, we welcome the commitment to meaningful, tailored support for female entrepreneurs.
"We have faced challenges accessing export support, even though there's clear interest from new markets. By empowering female entrepreneurs to step confidently into the global marketplace, we can secure significant economic growth and strengthen Scotland's reputation on the world stage."
